Why don't more people get sick from eating raw meat (sushi, steak tartare)?

Answer 1

FDA does not certify meat... it's the USDA...

There are many reasons why sushi and steak tartare are safe:

1. It's usually made with the freshest ingredients.
The freshest is the best.

2. Food bourne illness is a result of surface contaimination with fecal matter. If the meat is butchered properly, then your risk of contamination go down a lot. Also, I believe (not 100% sure) in most packing plants the carcasses are now power washed (with sanitizer) to further reduce the risk of contamination.

3. However, when you eat sushi or steak tartare it's from the muscle (interior) of the animal where your chances of getting sick are very small.

I don't know if you've noticed when meat is recalled it's usually hamburger meat... that's because they use whatever is "leftover" and that stuff is ground up and mixed together which is different than a whole tenderloin.

4. Proper handling and storage.
Sushi GradeTuna, for example, is frozen at very low temperatures for a certain amount of time to kill off any parasite in the flesh.

Restaurants will store the food properly at the right temperatures.

The staff should be washing their hands with soap and water, plus wearing gloves.

Answer 2

Some people just have stronger stomachs than others, more tolerance to the bacteria in some of these raw meats. But I know me personally, the first and last time I ate steak tartare, I puked my f'n guts up.

Answer 3

First off, ALL reputable restaurants which serve these foods know how to properly handle the products they serve. Sushi and sashimi are BOTH served very cold as well as having been properly prepped before both handling and serving to ensure NO cross-contamination or bacteria growth. On the other hand , I have no experience with steak tar-tare, so haven't the faintest idea there. Sorry!

Answer 4

Raw meat doesn't necessarily have salmonella. If sushi etc is prepared with very fresh ingredients by people who know how to prepare the food and who use good hygene(handwashing etc) It shouldn't be a problem.

Answer 5

Eating raw meat is a gamble. The meat may or may not contain things such as e-coli, or tape worms. Cooking the meat before eating ensures that the meat will be safer to eat than eating it raw.

Answer 6

ok man this is my theory, people that can eat sushi, raw steak and raw meat, just have stomachs of steel and absoulutely no taste buds. look at tit this way, if you eat raw meat or anyone else it is practically just like cutting a cow or fishes head off, strippin the hide, wiping its butt and eatin it. thats how i see it!

Answer 7

why would you expect to get sick? If prepared and fresh it is as good for you as rare steak . I prepare most of my own food and do not have any problems most of the time but sometimes it does happen. It is just one of those things and I try to improve my handling and storage capabilities to try and prevent these happenings. As for getting sick (vomitting) no way just your brain and stomach inter connecting I have a lurch(stomach tap dancing,twisting,knotting....) if I just see snails although I am OK with the sauce.....

Answer 8

Because most raw foods sold in restaurants are safe. They are checked and have very specific handling instructions. Most restaurants and food stores follow these instructions. Or come close enough that there's no risk.

Answer 9

Before humans learned how to make fire and cook food, they ate raw meat and fish. It is fine as long as it is prepared properly and has no parasites.

Answer 10

Have you tried Eating for Energy (120 raw food diet recipes) system? Go here : http://StayEatingRaw.com/Access . It may immediately instruct each and every one!